Soumitra Dutta is a globally renowned Indian academic, consultant, author and entrepreneur. Soumitra Dutta is most famous for being the co-developer of the Global Innovation Index, the world’s most influential innovation ranking system. Published annually, GII covers around 130-140 countries. GII uses around 80 metrics spanning seven pillars (Institutions, Human Capital & Research, Infrastructure, Market Sophistication, Business Sophistication, Knowledge & Technology Outputs, Creative Outputs), to measure innovation performance of countries every year.
Educational achievements of Soumitra Dutta
Dutta, who was born in Chandigarh, is an alumnus of IIT-Delhi; he completed his B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science in 1985. In 2017, Dutta received a Distinguished Alumnus award from his alma mater. Dutta also holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science from the University of California at Berkeley.
Stellar academic career
Soumitra Dutta has had an illustrious career in academics. Dutta began at INSEAD in 1989 as an Assistant Professor in Information Systems and Technology Management. Later Soumitra Dutta served as Dean of Technology and E-learning, Dean of Executive Education, and Dean of External Relations.
In 2012, Dutta became the 11th Dean of Cornell University’s Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management. He then led as Founding Dean of the SC Johnson College of Business from 2016 to 2018, securing a record $150 million naming gift, and launching initiatives such as Cornell Tech in NYC and the Cornell-Tsinghua dual MBA, the only Ivy League MBA in mainland China.
From June 2022 to September 2025, Soumitra Dutta was Oxford Said Business School’s Dean. During his tenure, he emphasized building social capital, cultural immersion for students, and mindful decision-making in AI-driven economies.
Tech entrepreneur and management consultant
Soumitra Dutta the entrepreneur has founded two technological startups: Fisheye Analytics, a social media analytics firm, and Igesia, an edutech firm. Dutta has also helped global corporations and governments formulate their technology and innovation policies. He has been a board member of companies such as Sodexo, Dassault Systemes and ZS Associates.
Dutta is also the president and co-Founder of Portulans Institute, an independent Washington DC-based non-profit research institute.
Prolific author
Soumitra Dutta is author/co-author of books such as Throwing Sheep in the Boardroom: How Online Social Networking Will Transform Your Life, Work and World, Innovating at the Top : Global Innovation Leaders: CEO Perspectives on Innovation for Growth and Profit (International Management Knowledge), and The Bright Stuff: How Innovative People and Technology Can Make the Old Economy New.